Magnification test apparatus

ABSTRACT

A magnification testing apparatus for testing the suitability of eyeglasses is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of frames for eyeglass lenses, a plurality of pairs of lenses of different magnification secured within the frames, a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus to position their face so as to bring each of the frames in turn into a conventional eyeglass-wearing position, and a motif of a first predetermined size that is spaced in use of the apparatus a first predetermined distance from each frame when each frame is in the conventional eyeglass-wearing position.

The present invention is concerned with a magnification test apparatusfor eyeglasses and, more particularly, with a magnification testapparatus for reading glasses.

With advancing age, many people progressively become long-sighted. Thiscondition can easily be corrected by the provision of reading glasses,which serve to magnify images (such as print) held only a short distancefrom the face of a person which would otherwise be too small to viewproperly. The magnification required is different for different people.Moreover, as the condition of a person's vision changes over time, themagnification required will alter.

There are two options for people to obtain reading glasses. The first,more conventional option, of attending on optometrist and being testedand prescribed optical lenses is not always an affordable or readily orconveniently accessible option. The second option of a person purchasingfrom a retail outlet one pair of reading glasses from a group of readingglasses having a range of particular magnifications overcomes thedisadvantages of the first option but has the disadvantage that it isnot always a straight-forward exercise to select an appropriatemagnification.

The usual means of testing reading glasses in the “self-service” optionis to pick up a loose pair of glasses, try them on and then attempt toread some nearby print. The conditions of such a test are notsufficiently well-controlled to allow for adequate testing of theglasses, and glasses with an inappropriate magnification are sometimeschosen as a result.

The present invention allows for testing of glasses under controlledconditions in a “self-service” situation.

In general terms the present invention provides a magnification testingapparatus for testing the suitability of eyeglasses, which apparatusincludes:

(a) a plurality of frames for eyeglass lenses;

(b) a plurality of pairs of lenses of different magnification securedwithin the frames;

(c) a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus toposition their face so as to bring each of the frames in turn into aconventional eyeglass-wearing position; and

(d) a motif of a first predetermined size spaced a first predetermineddistance from each frame when the frame is in the conventionaleyeglass-wearing position.

The frames may be arranged in a line. With this arrangement preferablythere is a motif aligned with each frame.

Alternatively the frames may be arranged in a circular array on a turretthat can be rotated about a vertical axis. With this arrangementpreferably there is a single fixed motif and the frames can be rotatedsuccessively into a viewing position in relation to the motif.

More particularly, according to the present invention there is provideda magnification testing apparatus for testing the suitability ofeyeglasses, which includes:

(a) a first frame for eyeglass lenses;

(b) a second frame for eyeglass lenses;

(c) a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus toposition their face so as to being each of the frames in turn into aconventional eyeglass-wearing position;

(d) a first pair of lenses secured within the first frame, the firstpair of lenses possessing predetermined optical properties;

(e) a second pair of lenses secured within the second frame, the secondpair of lenses possessing predetermined optical properties.

(f) a first motif of a first predetermined size spaced apart from thefirst frame by a first predetermined distance; and

(g) a second motif of a second predetermined size spaced apart from thesecond frame by a second predetermined distance.

In one embodiment the first and second predetermined distances are thesame distance, the first and second motifs are the same size, and thefirst and second pairs of lenses have different magnifications.

In another embodiment, the first and second predetermined distances arenot identical.

With this embodiment one of the first and second motifs may be scaled upor down in size by the appropriate amount to compensate for thedifferent viewing distances.

Alternatively, or in addition, the first and second pairs of lenses mayhave different magnifications.

Preferably, the first and second motifs are identical to allow for easycomparison.

Typically, each of the first and second motifs is a passage of printthat is too small to be read by a person requiring reading glasses atthe first or second predetermined distance chosen. In general thisdistance is 30-35 cm, to stimulate usual reading conditions.

Preferably, the first pair of lenses and the second pair of lenses arethe lenses of conventional reading glasses.

Preferably, the first pair of lenses has a different magnification tothe second pair of lenses. In general, a plurality of such lenses arearranged in the magnification testing apparatus described above so thata user of the apparatus can try a large range of lenses and make adirect comparison of the suitability of the magnification levels of thelenses.

For convenience, the support means can be a display unit with readingglasses displayed thereon.

Preferably, a plurality of pairs of lenses are arranged in a rowpositioned towards the top of the display unit and reading glasseshaving the same magnification as a particular pair of lenses aredisplayed directly beneath it.

The display unit may include a mirror positioned above the frames sothat the user of the apparatus can also check their appearance while theframes are in the conventional eyeglass-wearing position. The mirror maybe angled, say at 20° to the vertical, to facilitate viewing and framesof different styles (as well as different magnifications) may bedisplayed.

Preferably the display unit includes one or more than one member, suchas a rod or any other suitable means, on which each frame is mounted.

Preferably the frames, which do not have the “arms” used to secureeyeglasses on the head of a wearer, are suspended by the member ormembers in positions to which a user of the apparatus can readilyposition their head to assess whether the pairs of lenses have thecorrect magnification.

For convenience, preferably the frames are located between 900 mm and 1m above the floor, as it has been found that bending to this height ismost comfortable for the majority of people.

Alternatively, the frames are mounted in a surface of the support meansor extending from the support means. This surface may be shaped to allowfor comfortable positioning of the face of the user.

Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way ofexample only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, of which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of one embodiment of a magnification testapparatus in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partially schematic front elevation of the magnificationtest apparatus shown in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a magnificationtest apparatus in accordance with the present invention.

The apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes:

(a) a support means, in this case a free-standing display unit 11 with abase 33, an upright wall section 34, and a front face section 35;

(b) a plurality of test eyeglasses 13, 13 a, 13 b, 13 c, 13 d, 13 e eachof which includes a frame and a pair of lenses (hereinafter referred toas a “test frame”) arranged in a horizontal line;

(c) a plurality of members, such as rod 12, which support the testframes 13-13 e in the line; and

(d) an array of pegs, such as pegs 14, 15, 16, 17, which support andthereby display reading glasses 32 packaged in blister packs.

The reading glasses 32 are suspended from the pegs in a conventionalmanner directly beneath the test frame 13-13 e having the samemagnification.

It will be appreciated that the shape and position of each rod 12,particularly in relation to the upper pegs 14, is selected so that theuser of the apparatus can press their face against the test frames 13-13e to bring the test frames into the usual eyeglass-wearing positionwithin interference from other components of the apparatus 10, such asthe pegs 14. Each test frame 13-13 e includes a loop 18 that extendsfrom the end of a rod 12 to the nose bridge of the test frames 13-13 e.The loop 18 and the bridge of each test frame 13-13 e are arranged so asto securely hold the test frames 13-13 e while not preventing the userof the apparatus from positioning their face appropriately and incomfort.

The apparatus 10 further includes a motif 36 associated with each testframe 13-13 e positioned on the front face section 35 of the displayunit 11. Each motif 36 is positioned in the line of sight for itsassociated test frames 13-13 e.

The display unit 11 also includes a mirror 20 located just above thetest frames 13-13 e and extending substantially the width of the displayunit 11. The mirror 20 allows users of the apparatus 10 to view the testframes 13-13 e when in the eyeglass-wearing position so as to judge thestyle of the glasses. Different styles of glasses with the samemagnification may be positioned side-by-side, with groups of variousstyles each with the same magnification being created. The mirror isangled at 20° of the vertical so that a person bent over the apparatusand in the eyeglass-wearing position can better see themselves.

A header section 21 of the front face section 35 of the display unit 11may bear explanatory text and/or advertising as best seen in FIG. 2. Inthis embodiment of the invention the mirror 20 is not included and therepresentation of the apparatus 10 is partially schematic, however theconcept of the invention is illustrated.

Following the instructions on the header 21, a user of the apparatus 10selects first the test frame 13 and views the print of the aligned motif36 by looking through the test frame 13, in the manner describedpreviously, by placing their face in the eyeglass-wearing positionagainst the test frame 13. The user judges whether they can read theprint adequately. If not, they select another test frame 13 a and judgewhether they can read the text of the associated motif 36 and so on withthe remainder of the test frames 13 b, 13 c, 13 d, 13 e.

The size of the print of each motif is the same (in fact the print isidentical) but the magnification of the lenses in the test frames 13-13e increases progressively from the first frame 13 to the last frame 13 ein the line.

A person requiring only weak reading glasses may find that the print isclearest when using frame 13 or 13 a but a person requiring strongreading glasses may not be satisfied until they have read the printthrough frame 13 d or 13 e. Thus, the user of the apparatus 10self-selects the most appropriate level of magnification for theirreading glasses under controlled conditions that allow for anappropriate selection.

Then, for the convenience of the user, packaged reading glasses with thesame level of magnification are displayed beneath each test frame 13a-13 e. Thus, the reading glasses with the lowest level of magnificationare displayed on pegs 14, 15, 16, 17 beneath test frame 13, those withthe next lowest level of magnification on pegs 14 a, 15 16 a, 17 a,beneath test frame 13 a, and so on. Typically the reading glasses ineach column are packed in blister packs that hang from the pegs, and arespaced by only 5 mm to maximize the use of space in the display unit 11.Information leaflets may also be displayed in pockets 23, 24.

The apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 is similar conceptually to that shownin FIGS. 1 and 2. The same reference numerals are used to denote thesame components of each apparatus. In addition, the display pegs 14, 15,16, 17 and blister packs of reading glasses have been removed forclarity.

One difference between the apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 3 and that shownin FIGS. 1 and 2 is that the apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 does not includea free-standing display unit 11 but rather includes support members 39which enables the display unit 11 to be wall mounted.

Another difference is that the display unit 11 shown in FIG. 3 includesa display shelf 40 and the test frames 13 a-13 e are supported by ashelf 40 that forms part of the display unit 11.

Variations and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art areencompassed within the above description of the invention.

By way of example, whilst the preferred embodiments described aboveinclude test frames 13-13 e which have different magnifications, it canreadily be appreciated that the present invention is not restricted tothis arrangement and extends to arrangements in which the test frameshave the same magnification and there are different spacings betweeneach test frame and the motifs 36 and/or different sized motifs 36.

In summary, the present invention extends to any arrangement in whichthe parameters of magnification, motif size, and spacing between testframes and motifs are selected so that users can use the apparatus ofthe present invention to assess, in effect, different magnificationeyeglasses.

By way of further example, whilst the preferred embodiments describedabove include test frames 13-13 e which are arranged in a line andseparate albeit identical motifs 36 which are aligned with each testframe, it can readily be appreciated that the present invention is notso limited and extends to arrangements in which the test frames 13-13 eare in a circular array on a turret that can be rotated about a verticalaxis to bring each test frame in turn into alignment with a single fixedmotif.

What is claimed is:
 1. A magnification testing apparatus for testing thesuitability of eyeglasses, which includes: (a) a first frame foreyeglass lenses; (b) a second frame for eyeglass lenses; (c) a supportmeans holding the frames for a user of the apparatus to position theirface so as to bring each of the frames in turn into a conventionaleyeglass-wearing position; (d) a first pair of lenses secured withinsaid first frame, said first pair of lenses possessing predeterminedoptical properties; (e) a second pair of lenses secured within saidsecond frame, said second pair of lenses possessing predeterminedoptical properties; (f) a first motif of a first predetermined sizespaced apart from said first frame by a first predetermined distance;and (g) a second motif of a second predetermined size spaced apart fromsaid second frame by a second predetermined distance.
 2. The apparatusdefined in claim 1 wherein the first and second predetermined distancesare the same distance, the first and second motifs are the same size,and the first and second pairs of lenses have different magnifications.3. The apparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the first and secondpredetermined distances are not identical.
 4. The apparatus defined inclaim 3 wherein one of said first and second motifs is scaled up or downin size by an appropriate amount to compensate for the different viewingdistances.
 5. The apparatus defined in claim 4 wherein the first andsecond pairs of lenses have different magnifications.
 6. The apparatusdefined in claim 3 wherein the first and second pairs of lenses havedifferent magnifications.
 7. The apparatus defined in claim 3 whereinthe first and second pairs of lenses have the same magnification.
 8. Theapparatus defined in claim 1 wherein the first and second motifs areidentical to allow for easy comparison.
 9. The apparatus defined inclaim 1 wherein the first and second motifs are both a passage of print,too small to be read by a person requiring reading glasses at thepredetermined distance chosen.
 10. The apparatus defined in claim 1wherein the first and second predetermined distances are 30-35 cm tostimulate usual reading conditions.
 11. The apparatus defined in claim 1wherein the first and second pairs of lenses are the lenses ofconventional reading glasses.
 12. The apparatus defined in claim 1wherein the support means is a display unit with reading glassespackaged for retail sale displayed thereon.
 13. A magnification testingapparatus for testing the suitability of eyeglasses, which apparatusincludes: (a) a plurality of frames for eyeglass lenses; (b) a pluralityof pairs of lenses of different magnification secured within the frames;(c) a support means holding the frames for a user of the apparatus toposition their face so as to bring each of the frame in turn into aconventional eyeglass-wearing position; and (d) a motif of a firstpredetermined size that is spaced in use of the apparatus a firstpredetermined distance from each frame when each frame is in theconventional eyeglass-wearing position.
 14. The apparatus defined inclaim 13 wherein the frames are arranged in a line.
 15. The apparatusdefined in claim 14 wherein one said motif is aligned with each frame.16. The apparatus defined in claim 14 wherein the frames are arranged ina circular array on a turret that can be rotated about a vertical axis.17. The apparatus defined in claim 16 wherein there is a single saidmotif and the frames can be rotated successively into a viewing positionin relation to the motif.